This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the playoffs just around the corner, beware of teams that do and do not have something to play for. The battle at the top of the West is basically set, with the Warriors, Spurs and Rockets locked into the top-three seeds. In the middle, there's a battle for home court between the Clippers and Jazz, and the Thunder and Grizzlies can still move around with a few games to go.
The top four seeds in the East are locked in, though positioning can change. The next five slots are all separated by 2.5 games, so target players on the Hawks, Bucks, Pacers, Bulls and Heat. The key with the remaining teams is honing in on younger players who will get more of a scouting run, particularly the cheap options featured on the Nets and 76ers.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. SA ($46): Dame is fresh off setting a Trail Blazers record with 59 points (80.2 fantasy points), draining nine 3-pointers with six boards and five dimes against the Jazz on Saturday. Portland will be in a position to clinch a playoff berth in this game against the Spurs, who will likely rest the majority of their starters. Lillard shouldn't be expected to pour in anything close to his record-breaking number, but another big performance could be on tap. He's relatively affordable, though expect his ownership percentage to be in the upper tier.
Evan Fournier, ORL at CHI ($20): The Magic and Fournier can play spoiler to the Bulls' playoff hopes, though the shooting guard may not go in this game because of a calf injury. If he does play, Fournier will be in a good spot to return value. He's scored at least 20 points in six straight games, and has hit four 3-pointers in each of his past two. Chicago should come out with a head of steam at home, but Fournier played well against the Bulls on March 8 (20 points and nine rebounds en route to 38.3 fantasy points). Fournier offers a solid floor and has some contrarian appeal.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS vs. UTA ($34): There's no way the Dubs send Stephen Curry out there Monday with concerns with his left knee. This will put a lot of the spotlight on Thompson, which will make his ownership percentage skyrocket. He'll only be viable in cash games and there's also a chance the Warriors just rest most of their core to begin with. The Jazz are a tough draw and will be in this to win with home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs on the line. The options at shooting guard are plentiful, so look to cheaper options like Dwyane Wade ($29) and Nicolas Batum ($25).
FORWARD
Paul George, IND at PHI ($45): George has a lot of appeal for a few reasons. Targeting teams that still have something to play for is always a solid strategy late in the season, and the Pacers can move up in the East to get a better draw in the first round. George has been on fire lately, scoring at least 35 points in three of four games, with a monster 75.3 fantasy points in an overtime loss to the Cavs last week. There is no one on the 76ers who can stop George, with Robert Covington done for the season, so look for another huge night.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. ORL ($22): All signs point to a Bulls blowout win. Chicago needs to win out and get some help to make the playoffs and definitely won't let this game slip away like Saturday's embarrassing loss to the Nets. Mirotic has come on late in the season and shown plenty of promise, scoring at least 20 points in back-to-back games prior to Saturday. He'll be a matchup nightmare for Orlando and has a high ceiling to pair with his affordable salary.
Forward to Avoid
Dario Saric, PHI vs. IND ($32): Saric appeared to be a clear-cut frontrunner for rookie of the year, but his late-season struggles are concerning. He's eclipsed 20 points just once in his past eight games, with double-digit rebounds in only two of those contests. With the Pacers playing for plenty Monday, don't expect the 76ers to get much going on offense. Saric has failed to reach a point-per-dollar return in each of his past six games, and even if he manages to do so, he isn't going to do enough for a tournament lineup.
CENTER
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. HOU ($31): Jordan has been crushing it on the boards (to no one's surprise), with at least 17 rebounds in four of his past five games. He had previously struggled against the Rockets, but chances are Houston will take it easy locked into the 3-seed in the West. The Rockets are also on the second night of a back-to-back, so resting their starters may be a priority. Jordan's floor is high, having scored at least 30 fantasy points in six straight, and his low standard deviation of 9.2 makes him an appealing play for 50/50s.
JaVale McGee, GS vs. UTA ($10): McGee is a solid punt play for tournaments at basement pricing. As stated above, the Warriors may opt to rest a handful of their regulars, which would open up additional playing time for McGee. He's coming off a point-per-minute (16 in 16) with seven rebounds for 25.4 fantasy points against the Pelicans on Saturday. Even with Golden State employing its full lineup, McGee has scored in double figures in three of five, combing for 22 rebounds during that stretch.
Center to Avoid
Al Horford, BOS vs. BKN ($27): Chances are the Celtics run away with this game against the Nets considering Boston still has a chance to grab the top seed in the East. This will mean Horford either a) doesn't get enough minutes in a blowout or b) doesn't see the ball because Isaiah Thomas will have to go hero mode again. Either way, Horford has eclipsed 30 fantasy points once in his past six games and hasn't reached double-digit rebounds since March 26. Most of the centers on this slate are inexpensive, so paying up is a solid strategy.
